How to Manage Your Airbnb Property Remotely: Essential Products and Tips for Success
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If you are a new or experienced Airbnb host who is looking for some tips to successfully manage your property remotely, you are in the right place here! Whether you’re living miles away from your rental or simply looking to streamline your hosting process, here’s a guide on how to manage your Airbnb remotely, including the essential products you’ll need to keep everything running smoothly.
When I purchased my first property with the intention of listing it on Airbnb, I didn’t think I would need to fully remotely manage it. Sure, I didn’t want to be going there after each guest’s checkout, but the property I purchased was only an hour or so from my home… so I could easily go a few times a month to check in, restock items, change batteries etc. But about a year and a half after acquiring the property life took me and my family to South Carolina. As you can imagine my visits became much more infrequent living out of state, so I put the right products and elements in place to be able to manage it remotely.
Here is what you will get from this post:
An overview of the key elements you should think about to remotely manage your Airbnb
Links to products that will make your life 1000x easier in doing so (if you are looking for a full list of items I purchased to set up the Airbnb, you can find that in a prior post here)
Recommendations for finding the right boots on the ground support for when it is really needed
Key Elements to consider for remote management of your Airbnb:
Guest Access: One of the most important aspects of managing your Airbnb remotely is ensuring seamless guest access. Below you’ll find links to products that will make things 1000x easier!
Smart Lock - A smart lock allows you to generate unique codes for each guest, so they can check in and out without needing a physical key. You can even control the lock remotely, providing or revoking access from your smartphone. The caveat here is that you’ll have to change the batteries every 3 months or so, therefore you need a back-up as well.
Lockbox - A lockbox is a back-up must have. If you have issues replacing batteries in your smart lock, you’ll need to resort to having guests retrieve keys using a lockbox that can be placed outside your property. The lockbox should contain your master key for the home, and you can have some spare keys setup in the house (attached to keychains) that guests can use to go in and out during their stay. NOTE: In your check in instructions, you would want to make it clear that the key in the lockbox should immediately be put back into the lockbox upon initial entry, and during the stay guests can use one of the key sets on the keychains inside (in order to prevent a loss of your key).
Keychains - for your key sets that will stay inside your property. You will want 2-3 sets. Make it fun! Pick keychains that align with the theme and vibe of your property, but also make them big enough that guests won’t lose them or forget them in their pocket when they checkout. My property is situated on the water, hence my choice of style, these keychains float!
Security: a key concern for any Airbnb host, especially when managing properties remotely.
Ring Camera - Installing a Ring or other smart security systems ensures you can monitor the outside of your property, make sure your guests check in and out smoothly, and protect both your guests and your home. The key is to get the WIRED version, otherwise you have more batteries to change!
Temperature Control: being able to control your property’s temperature from your phone is particularly useful for properties in areas with fluctuating weather. It offers not only convenience but also energy savings, contributing to both guest satisfaction and your bottom line.
Nest Thermostat - This product is easy to install and easy to use, win win!
Spare Towels and Linens: To ensure smooth turnovers between guests, stock up! You’d be surprised at how quickly you need to replace these items, especially during busy seasons. Amazon has an amazing line called Utopia - they have all the necessities, in all the colors at reasonable prices (I even use them at home).
Other items: I have historically used Keurigs in the Airbnbs but that requires you to stock up on K-cups, etc. When moving to remotely hosting the Airbnb, I replaced that with options that require less maintenance.
Boots on the Ground Support:
When managing remotely, a reliable cleaning service becomes essential. These professionals can handle turnover cleanings, ensuring your property is spotless and ready for the next guest.
To maintain consistency:
- Set clear expectations with your cleaning service about the level of detail required.
- Share a checklist of tasks like this one so they know what to prioritize.
- Arrange for photos to be taken after each clean to verify the quality of the service.
Once you have all these products and elements set up you will be able to rest assured that your property will be functioning well, without you being so hands on! Best of luck!
